Condensible gas botanical extraction systems and methods

Abstract

A method for extracting compounds from botanical material using a condensable gas solvent comprising passing the condensable gas solvent containing the at least one compound extracted from a feedstock through a sonic flow nozzle and introducing the solvent exiting the sonic flow nozzle at a supersonic velocity into a cyclone separator.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for extracting compounds from botanical material using a condensable gas solvent, the method comprising:
 (a) in an extraction chamber, using the condensable gas solvent to extract at least one compound from a feedstock of botanical material; 
 (b) withdrawing a liquid solvent containing the at least one compound extracted from the feedstock from the extraction chamber and conveying the liquid solvent through a solvent flow path to a sonic flow nozzle and obtaining solvent at a supersonic velocity; and, 
 (c) directly tangentially introducing the solvent exiting the sonic flow nozzle at a supersonic velocity into a cyclone separator 
 wherein the solvent in the extraction chamber is in a liquid phase and the solvent in the flow path is in a supercritical phase. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solvent in the flow path is in a phase comprising at least one of a supercritical phase and a liquid phase. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , further comprising heating the solvent to a gaseous phase prior to the solvent entering the sonic flow nozzle. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the outlet of the sonic flow nozzle is positioned adjacent the cyclone separator and the method further comprises directing solvent exiting the sonic flow nozzle to avoid the solvent contacting an inlet port of the cyclone separator. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising separating at least a portion of the at least one compound from the solvent in the cyclone separator and collecting the at least one compound as an unfoamed liquid. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , further comprising heating the cyclone separator whereby the at least one compound that is separated in the cyclone separator is heated and its viscosity is reduced. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the feedstock of botanical material comprises cannabis and the method further comprises obtaining as the at least one compound extracted from the feedstock at least one of an aliphatic aldehyde, a terpene, and a cannabinoid. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the outlet of the sonic flow nozzle is positioned at an inlet port of the cyclone separator and the method further comprises conveying solvent exiting the sonic flow nozzle immediately into the cyclone separator. 
     
     
       9. A method for extracting compounds from botanical material using a condensable gas solvent, the method comprising:
 (a) in an extraction chamber, using the condensable gas solvent to extract at least one compound from a feedstock of botanical material; 
 (b) withdrawing a liquid solvent containing the at least one compound extracted from the feedstock from the extraction chamber and conveying the liquid solvent through a solvent flow path to a sonic flow nozzle and obtaining solvent at a supersonic velocity; and, 
 (c) directly tangentially introducing the solvent exiting the sonic flow nozzle at a supersonic velocity into a cyclone separator, 
 
       wherein the outlet of the sonic flow nozzle is positioned adjacent the cyclone separator and the method further comprises directing solvent exiting the sonic flow nozzle to avoid the solvent contacting an inlet port of the cyclone separator. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the solvent in the flow path is in a phase comprising at least one of a supercritical phase and a liquid phase. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising heating the solvent to a gaseous phase prior to the solvent entering the sonic flow nozzle. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the solvent in the extraction chamber is in a liquid phase and the solvent in the flow path is in a supercritical phase. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the solvent in the extraction chamber is in a liquid phase and the solvent in the flow path is in a supercritical phase. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 9 , further comprising separating at least a portion of the at least one compound from the solvent in the cyclone separator and collecting the at least one compound as an unfoamed liquid. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , further comprising heating the cyclone separator whereby the at least one compound that is separated in the cyclone separator is heated and its viscosity is reduced. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the feedstock of botanical material comprises cannabis and the method further comprises obtaining as the at least one compound extracted from the feedstock at least one of an aliphatic aldehyde, a terpene, and a cannabinoid. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the outlet of the sonic flow nozzle is positioned at an inlet port of the cyclone separator and the method further comprises conveying solvent exiting the sonic flow nozzle immediately into the cyclone separator.